Most Irish people vastly underestimate how much they drink, according to a Health Research Board report. Also, a survey by Ipsos MRBI for the IHF, found only 9 per cent of Irish adults know how much is in a standard drink.

A standard drink includes a small glass of wine (100ml), half a pint of beer or a pub measure of spirits. So one pint of beer counts as two standard drinks and there are almost eight standard drinks in a bottle of wine.

It is recommended women should have no more than 11 standard drinks and men no more than 17 a week.

Dr Brown said too many people exceed this, putting themselves needlessly at risk. “Sadly many people only cut back on alcohol after they have a cardiac event.”

John Healy, maitre d’ on TV show The Restaurant, was one of those. He had his first heart attack in 2007, a second in 2009 and a heart transplant in 2011. “I didn’t realise my lifestyle was putting me in danger. I had no warning.”